Kitgum Municipal Council has officially handed over the construction site for an Outpatient Department (OPD) at Pager Health Centre, in a move aimed at improving healthcare service delivery in Pager Division.
The project, awarded to Jerivento Investments Co. Ltd, is valued at shs 167,329,310, inclusive of VAT, and is expected to be completed within 75 days.
According to the project details, the scope of work includes raising the structure and roofing, with a defect liability period of 180 days after completion.
While addressing stakeholders during the commissioning ceremony, the Project Manager, who also serves as the Municipal Health Officer, revealed that a contract management team has already been established to monitor the progress and ensure quality standards are met throughout the construction process.
Eng. Olinga James confirmed the project timeline and cost, emphasising the need for timely completion.
In response, a representative from Jerivento Investments Co. Ltd expressed appreciation to the Council for the trust placed in the company, pledging to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe and according to required standards.
The division chairperson Oyo Morris Santo commenced the municipal council for prioritising healthcare infrastructure. However, he cautioned against repeating initial setbacks experienced at the start of the project.
Kitgum municipal secretary for health, Calvin W. Latigo, applauded the Pager community for providing land for the project and encouraged them to allocate more land to support future health developments.
The mayor of Kitgum municipality, Richard Okwera, praised the procurement and technical teams for successfully securing a contractor.
He noted that while the OPD is a significant step, the health Centre will only attain higher status once additional structures such as staff houses and a maternity ward are established.
Okwera further revealed plans to prioritize development in Pager Division to elevate the facility to a Health Centre III, while urging the community to provide more land for expansion.
He also called on the contractor to use quality construction materials and adhere strictly to project timelines.
The mayor emphasised the importance of local content, urging the contractor to employ workers from within Pager Division, and called on local leaders to regularly monitor the project to ensure accountability.
Kitgum Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Oyoo Walter, acknowledged existing resource constraints but encouraged stakeholders to maximise available opportunities.
Oyoo urged the community to safeguard construction materials and actively participate in monitoring the project.
He also advised the council to consider vertical construction in future developments to address land limitations, while stressing the need for both speed and quality in project execution.
The OPD construction at Pager Health Centre is expected to significantly enhance access to outpatient services and marks a critical step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Kitgum municipality.
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